Pressing device



Aug. 20 1940. H. A. PERKINS PRESSVING DEVICE Fi1ed,Ju1y 6, 1936 4Sheets-Shoot 2 Aug. 20, 1940. H. A. PERKINS PRESSING DEVICE Filed July6, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/w ew 7-0;? fifi/a A}? PAPER/(1N5 ATTORNEYAug. 20, 1940. PERKlNs I 2,212,196

PRESSING DEVICE Filed July e, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /NI EN TOR 422JGZRULD A PERKINS ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT.OFFICE PRESSING DEVICE Application July 6, 1936, Serial No. 89,044

7 Claims.

My invention relates to pressing machines and particularly but notexclusively to devices of this character adapted to press wearingapparel.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a pressing device whichwill be extremely simple in its construction and operation and in whichthe pressure may be varied to any extent up to the structural strengthof the machine itself.

Another object is to provide a pressing device in which it will beimpossible for the hands or any other portion of the body of theoperator to be subjected to a pressure suflicient to cause pain orinjury. More specifically, this last object in cludes the provision ofcoacting means whereby the development of an appreciable pressurebetween the pressing elements is positively prevented until they aremoved substantially into contact or in such close proximity to eachother that it is impossible for the fingers or hands of the operator tobe between them.

In the fundamental embodiment of my invention, an object resides in theprovision of a hydraulically operated press in which the pressingelements are entirely independent of the pressure developing mechanismexcept when said elements are substantially in contact, and in which theusual safety measure of providing control means requiring both of theoperators hands in a manipulation of the press is unnecessary.

In one embodiment of my invention, it is contemplated that an initialoperation of the pressing device be performed by hand; however, in thepreferred embodiment, it is proposed that an entire cycle of operationthereof be performed by invention resides in the provision of means formoving the presser head into close proximity to the buck and thereaftereffecting a compression of the two pressing elements in response to anoperation of power operated means. A further object resides in theprovision of spaced means operable by hand for controlling theapplication of a comparatively high pressure to the presser head therebyforming a safety appliance for the 45 benefit of the operator; andanother object is to provide a further safety device whereby an operatoris prevented from applying full pressure upon the presser head when thedevice is initially operated. A still further object resides in thenovel arrangement and correlation of the various elements and controlmeans of my press ing device in such a manner that the presser head willbe initially actuated to a point predeterminately spaced from the buckunder a comparatively small moving force whereby it is impossiblesupplied power. Hence, a further object of my for an operatoraccidentally to receive serious injury.

With these objects in view my invention includes the novel elements andcombinations and arrangements thereof described below and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of mydevice partially in section to show details of the construction andoperation thereof;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical elevation, partially in section,showing the modification of a detail;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the means for developingpressure and the controls for the machine;

Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the hydraulic cylinder partially insection;

Fig. 5 is an elevation view showing the details of a control valve;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of my device,partially in section and illustrating the various power transmittingelements in one position;

Fig. {7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the fluidcirculating system and the controhmeans associated therewith;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatical representation of the fluid circulatingsystem and devices included therein;

Fig. 9 is a view generally similar to Fig. 6 but showing the variouspower transmitting elements in another position;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary front elevation view of the pressing deviceillustrating the hand operable controls;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation view of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary elevation view of the hydraulic piston with oneof the regulating valves and an automatic control associated therewith.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, wherein I have illustrated one embodiment ofmy invention, my pressing machine comprises a cast frame I conforming ingeneral to the frames now commonly employed and which is supported upona base 2. 3 is the usual pressing bed or buck and 4 is the presser headwhich is carried by the arm 5 pivotally mounted on a shaft 6 secured inthe frame I, the arm 5 having a rearwardly extending arm or lever Icarrying a counterweight 8. .In my device this arm or lever I isprovided with an opening 9 for a purpose which will be later described.

Referring first to Fig. 3, I0 is a motor which drives a liquid pump l l.The liquid to be pumped, preferably oil, is contained in the reservoiri2.

Centrally mounted on the base 2 of the frame is a cylinder l3 having itsaxis vertically disposed and having mounted therein a piston |4 adaptedto be moved upwardly by hydraulic pressure developed by the pump Thecylinder |3 is mounted on a base l5 having a passage l6 thereincommunicating through the opening l1 with the cylinder below the pistonH. The pump draws oil from the reservoir l2 upwardly through the pipe l8and forces it through the pipe l9 into the passage'l6 in the base of thecylinder l3. Communicating with the passage I6 is an outflow pipe whichconveys the oil back to the reservoir I2 through the operator-actuatedvalve 2| and the pipe 22. When the valve 2| is opened, it forms togetherwith the pipes 20 and 22 an oil by-pass for the cylinder, and when nopressure is being exerted between the presser head and the buck the oilis constantly and freely circulated from the reservoir upwardly throughpipe l8, through pipe I9, passage I6, pipe 20, valve 2| and pipe 22 backto the reservoir l2. When the valve 2| is closed hydraulic pressure willbe developed in the cylinder below the .piston l4 and will force itupwardly. For the purpose of regulating the pressure which will bedeveloped I provide the valve 23 which communicates with the pipe is asshown in Fig. 1 and also with the reservoir through the vertical pipe24. A pressure gauge 25 is also installed in pipe ill for the purpose ofindicating the pressure in the liquid circulating system. By regulatingthe opening of the valve 23 by means of the hand wheel 26, the maximumpressure developed on the piston it may be controlled.

A piston rod 21 extends upwardly through the top head of cylinder l3 andcarries the yoke 28 to which are pivotally connected the verticallydepending links 29 and 30 at either side of the cylinder. These links,at the bottom, are pivotally connected to the lever 3| which isbifurcated as shown at 32 in Fig. 3 and pivotally mounted in the rear ofthe frame at 33 to form one element of a power-transmitting mechanism.The other element 34 of the power-transmitting mechanism extends in asubstantially vertical direction and is pivotally connected to the lever3| at 35 which point of connection is very close to the pivotalconnection 33. The element 34 which leans a little to the left of thevertical as viewed in Fig. 1 forms. a push-rod, the upper end of whichis adapted to coact with the bottom of the lever 1 when the parts are inthe relative positions shown -in the dotted lines in Fig. 1, and thustransmits pressure from the hydraulic cylinder to the arm 5 therebycompressing the pressing elements 3 and 4. As the pressure in thecylinder I3 is relieved and the element 3| is returning from theposition 3| to the position shown by the solid lines in Fig. 1, theupper end 55 of the rod 34 moves to the right (as viewed in Fig. 1) fromthe position 55' and enters the opening 9 in the lever 1 which iscarried downwardly by the counterweight 8 to separate the pressingelements. The adjusting screw 51 is in this embodiment provided toinsure this movement.

Thevalve 2| is actuated by the foot levers 36 and 31. These levers arepivotally mounted in the frame to move independently of each other asshown at 38.. The valve 2| is closed by pushing the stem 39 (see Figs. 3and 5) upwardly, and is opened by pulling the stem 39 downwardly. Inorder to accomplish these movements by means of the foot pedals 36 and31 the valve 2| is pro- ,iee

sided with a depending yoke in which an element ii is pivotaily mountedat 42. At the left, as viewed in 3 and 5, the element 4| is provldedwith an arm 43 which is pivotally connected to the stem 39 at 44; thearm 43 being provided with a slotted opening as shown at 65. Element llis also provided with slotted openings 36 and 51 in which are connectedthe operating levers for the valve 28. The rear end of the pedal lever36 is connected with the element 4| at the left of the pivot 52 by means01" a rod 48 and clevises 4S and 50 which are adjustable so that theeffective length of the rod 36. may be varied. The rear end of the pedallever 31 is also connected to the element (ii at the right of pivot 42by means of the adjustable clevlses 5i and 52 and the rod as shown. Fromthe foregoing, it will be apparent that when "pedal is depressed thestem 39 will be forced upwardly to close valve 2| and the rod 53 will beforced downwardly thus raising pedal 3? as pedal 35 is depressed. Toopen valve 2|, pedal 31 is depressed which pulls stem 39 downwardly toeffect this end.

In operation, assuming the valve to be partially open, and the motor Illto be running and oil to he circulating in the liquid circt. tingsystem, the garment to be pressed is patcd upon the buck, and thepresser head ls then lowered manually by grasping the handle Ed. whenthe presser head 4 has been brought into contact with the buck or thegarment thereon, the pedal 35 is depressed thus closing the lay-passaround the cylinder. Oil pressure will be developed in the cylinder l3and the piston It will be forced up wardly. This will raise thebifurcated end of the lever 3| which will permit the rod 34 to tiltbackwardly until the top 55 moves to the position 55' beneath a solidportion of the lever As the piston continues its upward movement,pressure will be applied to lever 1 through rod 3% and while there willbe some slight upward movement of the push-rod 34, it will not movesubstantially from the position 34 shown. in Fig. 1 while the pressureis applied. The maximum pressure developed will be indicated by gauge 25and will depend on the extent to which valve 23 is closed. The desiredpressure in the system may be regulated by means of the hand wheel 26,and it is unnecessary thereafter to change the valve setting unless adifferent pressure is desired. After pressure has been applied for asufiicient interval it is necessary only to depress lever 31 with thefoot which will open the valve in the by-pass around the cylinder torelieve the pressure. As the lever 3| descends from the position 3| tothe position 3|, the rod 3 3, due to the coaction of the adjusting screw51 with the lever 3|, will tilt to the right until the upper end 55reaches the opening 9 in lever 1, whereupon the counterweight will pulllever 1 downwardly and the pressing elements will separate. To repeatthe operation it is only necessary to lower the head 4 into substantialcontact with the buck, whereupon the upper end of the push-rod 55 willtilt back to the position 55', as pedal 36 is depressed, and thepressure to which the valve 23 has been adjusted will be developedbetween the buck and presser head. In order that the top 55 of rod 34 intilting backwards may Just clear the solid part of lever 1 with which itcoacts when in the position 55', the length of rod 34 may be varied bythe adjusting means 56.

If desired, the element 34 of the power-transmitting mechanism may bepulled forward from the position 34' into registration with the opening8 simultaneously with the opening of valve 2| by means of the followingmechanism. The lever 31 may be provided with an integral arm 58 to forma bell crank on the pivotal connection 38. The push-rod 34 may beconnected to the upper end of this crank arm 58 by means of the rod 59,as shown in Fig. 2, and, in order to allow some downwardmovement ofpedal 3! before a substantial pull is exerted on the rod 59 a helicalspring 68 may be provided intermediate the arm 34 and the nut 6| whichconnects rod 58 to the arm.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that in this embodiment of mydevice it is not necessary for the operator to have both hands occupiedwhen pressure is applied between the buck and presser head in order toavoid the accidental crushing of the hands. This is so because thepresser head must first be manually lowered substantially into contactwith the buck before the push-rod 34 of the power-transmitting mechanismwill move to the left into pressing position as shown in the dottedlines in Fig. 1. Since the presser head and the buck are substantiallyin contact before any hydraulic pressure can be applied it will beimpossible for the operator to have any portion of his hands between thepressing elements when the pedal 35 is depressed.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I have designed a pressingdevice wherein the entire operation thereof is carried out by means ofsupplied power and which comprises associate-d elements preferablyincluding a hydraulically operatedpiston, as willhereinafter appear, formoving the presser head into close proximity to the buck under acomparatively low pressure and thereafter effecting a compression of thetwo pressing elements under a comparatively high pressure. Referring toFigs. 6 through 12 which illustrate the preferred embodiment of myinvention and particularly to Fig. 6. it will be noted that the frame ofthe press, the buck, presser head, hydraulic cylinder and associatedpower transmitting elements for actuating the presser head in responseto the application of pressure to the piston of the cylinder, primarily,are substantially the same as the corresponding elements illustrated inFig. 1. The lever 31 of the toggle which is connected to the links 29and 30 associated with the piston of the cylinder l3, however, hasconnected thereto a link 5| at a point intermediate its length. Link 5|is pivotally connected to a cam 52 which in turn is pivotally mountedupon a shaft 53 secured in the frame. of the machine. A member 54 whichpreferably comprises two coextensive, spaced parallel bars is pivotallysupported on a shaft 65, secured to the frame of the press, the member64 having pivotally secured at one end thereof a yoke 56 and at a pointintermediate said yoke and shaft 55 a rotatably mounted cam follower 51which is adapted to transmit motion from said cam to the member 64. Arod 68 which passes through openings in the two arms of yoke ismaintained in position relative thereto by means of the collar 59 whichis secured to the rod and a spring 10 interposed between the collar 58and one arm of the yoke 66. The upper end of rod 68 is threaded asindicated at H whereby the same may be received in a threaded opening ina shaft 12 and adjustably secured thereto. Shaft 12 is rotatably mountedin a member 13 and extends through an opening "I therein of a sizesufficient to permit rod 58 to extend therethrough and rotate to alimited degree about shaft 12. The member 13 is pivotally supported onthe shaft 6 which supports arm 5 and the end thereof is formedoperatively to engage the rearwardly extending arm or lever I. Anactuation of the piston of the cylinder iii to raise lever ll of thetoggle will, through link 3|, rotate cam 82 which in turn will causemember 64 to pivot on shaft 85 and, through rod 68 and yoke 66, rotatemember 13 and arm 5 about their pivotal axes.

The foregoing described combination of ele-' ments is utilized in movingthe presser head 4 into close proximity with the buck 3 and accomplishesthe same operation which in the first embodiment of my invention hereindescribed was accomplished by hand.

For a very eiilcient and practical method of power operation of my pressand one particularly adapted for power control whereby the magnitude ofthe pressure applied to the pressing elements is predeterminately variedthroughout the cycle of operation of the press, I have designed a fluidcirculating system together with controls therefor which will best beunderstood by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. A pump Il'draws fluid from thereservoir I2 and passes the same through the pipe l8 and into the baseof the cylinder l3 as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 3.The base of the cylinder 18, in this embodiment, is also connectedthrough a pipe 14, in which a valve 15 is disposed, and through twopipes 16 and 11, in which valves 18 and 19, respectively, are disposed,and through pipe back to the reservoir l2. The pipes 18 and 11 formparallel paths for the flow of fluid so that fluid will still pass fromcylinder l3 bacli to the reservoir II in the event one or the other ofvalves 18 and 19 are closed. The casing of valve 19, as illustrated inFig. 7, is provided with a depending yoke 8| which forms a pivotalsupport for lever 82 to which is connected the shaft 83 for actuatingthe valve rod of the valve 19. Lever 82 has secured thereto as by meansof a clevis 84 a rod 85 which in turn is secured to .a foot-operatedpedal 86 which is pivotally supported on a shaft 81 extendingtransversely of the press and supported in the frame thereof. The lever82 has also connected thereto a spring ,88 which is connected to a lug89, preferably secured to the base 2 of the frame, the spring 88 servingnormally to maintain the valve 19 in open position.

The valve 18 which is disposed in the pipe 16 is provided with anoperating lever 80 to which. is adjustably secured a shaft 8| which isprovided with an angularly disposed end portion adapted to be receivedin a slot 92 in the member 54 (see Fig. 6).

Valve 18 normally is in closed position when the elements of thepressing device are in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 which, ofcourse, is in the unactuated position of the presser head 4. Hence, whenpedal 86 is depressed, thereby closing valve 19, valves 18 and 19 willbe closed at the same time whereby the piston within the cyl nder I3 issubjected to the full fluid pressure which is developed by the pump IIand limited by the valve 23 in the by-pass pipe 24. Under thesecircumstances, lever 3| of the power-transopposite side of its pivotalaxis will move downwardly to actuate lever 90 of valve I8 in avalveopening direction. It will be seen, therefore, that upon anactuation of presser head 4 into pressing position, the fluid pressureexercised in carrying out this movement is limited and predeterminatelycontrolled by the manner in which the valves I8 and I9 are associated inthe return line of the fluid circulating system and the correlatedoperation of the valve I8 with movement of the presser-head.

The shaft Si is adjustably secured to the operating lever 90 of thevalve I8 by means of the adjusting nuts 93 which are threaded on the endof the shaft and, serve to regulate the degree of movement imparted tothe lever through an operation of the member 64. Hence, it is evidentthat by adjusting the relative movements of the member 64 and lever 90the presser head 4 may be moved toward the buck 3 under a desiredpressure. Furthermore, in connection with the foregoing describedoperation of my press, it will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 9that the cam 62 and follower 61 may be so designed and arranged,although such a construction is not essential, that after apredetermined move- .ment of the presser head 4 through an actuation ofsaid cam and follower to position the same in close proximity to thebuck 3 the cam follower 8! bears against the cam 62 at the point 94which point represents the high point or point of maximum radialdisplacement of the periphery of the cam from its pivotal point towardthe fulcrum of member 64. In other words, the cam and follower may bedesigned to impart only a predetermined degree of movement to thepresser head 4. Hence, in view of the configuration of the cam surfaceand because of the limited pressure under which the presser head ismoved, being substantially sufficient only to overcome the weight of thepresser head and lever arm, it is possible for an operator to raise thepresser head against the pressure transmitted theretothrough the cam andassociated mechanisms.

After the initial operation of my pressing device under suppliedhydraulic power, as above described, it follows that the pressingelements are in position to be compressed under a comparatively' highpressure head. To accomplish this result, I have interposed in the pipeI4 the valve I as illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8. The downwardlyextending operating shaft 95 of the valve member of valve 15 isconnected to a lever 84 which in turn is secured to a shaft 91 suitablyJ'ournaled in bearings in the frame I of the press. Shaft 91 also hassecured thereto a lever 98 provided with a slot 99 within which isadapted to be received 9. depending link portion I00 of a yoke IN. Theyoke IOI preferably extends to an appreciable'and preferably equaldistance on both sides of the portion I00 and has pivotally secured atthe ends thereof connecting rods I02 which extend upwardly and areconnected at their upper ends to one arm I03 of bell cranks I04 (seeFigs. and 11). The bell cranks I04 are spaced an appreciable distancefrom each other and carry levers I05 which are disposed in a position tobe actuated by the hands of the operator of the press. A spring I06 ispreferably provided and interposed between the frame of the press andarms I01 of the bell cranks in order to provide a cushioning effect whenthe bell cranks are operated. The two levers I05, connecting rods I02and yoke IOI are associated and designed to prevent the operator fromrotating shaft 91 and thereby closing the valve II merely by depressingone of the levers I05. For example, if one of the levers I00 weredepressed, yoke IOI would pivot about its point of connection with theconnecting rod of the other lever and hence lever 98 and shaft 8'! wouldbe rotated to a considerably less extent than if both levers I05 weredepressed together in which event full upward movement of the connectingrods would be imparted to the yoke IOI. Obviously, valve is arranged sothat the movement of its operating shaft sufficient to close the same isof the order of a movement impartable thereto by said yoke only whenboth levers I05 are depressed together. In other words, the foregoingdescribed combination of elements forms a safety device provided toinsure against accidental injury to the hands of the operator.

Obviously, when 'the valve 15 is closed, the valves I8 and I9 arerendered, ineflect, inoperative and the piston in the cylinder I3 willbe subjected to the full, regulated pressure developed by the pump II.In this connection, it will be understood that the element 34 of thepowerlever I. When this has bccurred, the operation of the press iseffected in precisely the same manner as hereinbefore described.

In reference to a'detail, it will be noted that in the latter embodimentof my invention element 34 is provided with a bracket I08 and a shaftI09 is passed through an opening therein and secured to the lever 3| ofthe toggle. A compression spring H0 is interposed between the bracketand lever 3| and a compression spring I II is interposed between theother .side of the bracket and an adjusting nut 2. This arrangementforms a positive and resilient means for maintaining the element 34 in acooperable position relative to the lever I and serves the same purposeas the combined adjusting screw and weighted construction'disclosed inFig. 1. In other words, spring H0 serves precisely to position element34 in a position, when the presser head and buck are closely spaced, tobe moved initially upon an actuation of lever 3| into engagement withlever I; and, after a pressing operation has been performed and thepressure relieved, spring III serves to return element 34 to its normalposition wherein it passes within the opening 9 and permits the presserhead 4 to return to its unactuatedposition.

In order to relieve the pressure in the cylinder I 3 after a pressingoperation has been effected, I have provided a pedal 3, pivotallymounted on the shaft 81 and provided with a vertically extending arm II4 adapted to engage a lever II5 secured to the shaft 91. The arm H4 ispreferably provlded with an adjusting screw H6 in order to permitrelative adjustment between the arm I I4 and lever I I5. It will benoted that valve I0 is provided with the spring 88 for opening the valvewhen the pressure is relieved on the pedal 08; however, the valve 15 isadapted to remain in closed. position after an operation of the handlevers I05 and, of course, will remain closed until pedal H3 isdepressed'and the shaft 91 is rotated in a direction to open the same.

By way of a further safety appliance, I have provided m. illustrated inrm.- 12, which a designed to prevent an operation of the press through acomplete cyclein response to a depression of the two, hand-operatedlevers I88.

The base of the cylinder I8 is here illustrated as including a passage III which is adapted to communicate with the cylinder and valve I8. Itwill be seen that the exteriorly extending pipe 14 is dispensed with inthis design of my invention 7 and that a more compact assemblage iseifected. It will be noted in this connection that the operating shaftas of valve I extends vertically thereabove and has connected thereto,by suitable means including, for example, a pin and slot I. The end oflever l2l, as indicated at I25, is

designed to extend beneath the yoke 28 connected between the pistonshaft 21 and the links 28 and 88 of the piston assembly. Inasmuch asshaft 85 of the valve extends through a suitable opening in the lever I,the collar H8 and compression spring 8 will permit only a limitedmovement of the shaft 85, depending upon the adjustment of the collarbut insufilcient to vary the fluid pressure in the cylindenin responseto an operation of the hand levers I05 and thereafter the pressureapplied to said levers will be transmitted to the lever HI and,obviously, movement of this lever is prevented through its engagementwith the yoke 28. However, the above elements are so designed andarranged that when yoke 28 has been raised to its maximum height underthe joint control of the valves I8 and I8, it will. then permitsufllcient movement of shaft to close valve 15 to efl'ect a pressingoperation. Hence, with this ar-'- rangement, the operator is preventedfrom effecting a pressing operation of my pressing device merely bydepressing the hand-operated levers. The spring H9 may be dispensed withand the collar H8 secured to shaft 85 in close proximity to the leverl2l. However, the spring tends to reduce noise and eil'ect a smootheroperation.

In view of the hereinbefore described operation of the various elementsof my press in conjunction with the specific descriptions thereof, thecycle of operation of the press in its entirety should be clear from thefollowing description of the method of operation thereof. Assuming thata garment or like object is arranged on the buck, the operator depressespedal 88 and maintains the same depressed against the operation ofspring 88 while the presser head 4 is moved under a comparatively lowpressure head into close proximity to the buck 8. Thereafter, bydepressing the hand levers I05, a compression of the two pressingelements is effected under a comparatively high, predetermined pressurehead and, upon a depression of pedal ll3-the pressure is relieved andpresser head 4 moves upwardly under the gravitational effect of theweight 8 to its original, unactuated position, the various ele mentsbeing then positioned in readiness for a second operation.

' Although I have illustrated and described a particular fluidcirculating system as a power means, it will be understood thatequivalent arused scription rather than of limitation. Hence;

changes within the purview of the appended claims may be made withoutdeparting from the 'true scope and spirit of my invention in its broaderaspects.

What I claim is: r a

1-. In a pressing device of thecharacterdescribed comprising a movablepresser head and a buck, hydraulic-pressure actuated means including acylinder and piston for moving said presser head toward said buck,manually operable means for eflecting an operation of said hydraulicmeans to move said presser head toward said buck, means for controllingthe pressure in said cylinder, means for operatively connecting saidpresser head with said control means; said connecting means being soconstructed and arranged that movement of said presser head toward saidbuck effects an operation of said' control means progressively to reducethe pressure in said cylinder whereby said presser head is moved intoclosely spaced relation to said buck under a comparatively low pressure,and means for effecting, when said presser head and .buck are so closelyspaced, an operation of said hydraulic means to reservoir and cylinderfor supplying fluid tosaid cylinder and returning it i'to saidreservoir, said cylinder being provided with a piston operativelyconnected to said presser head, a flrst valve disposed in said systemand manually operable to control the fluid pressure in said cylinder anda second valve disposed in said system including valve-operating meansoperatively connected with said presser head, said valves being soconstructed and arranged in said system that said first valve may bemanually actuated to effect an operation of the piston in said cylinderto move said presse'r head toward said buck under the fluid pressuredeveloped in said system and said second valve beingoperableprogressively to decrease the pressure in said cylinder as saidpresser head approaches said buck.

3. In a pressing device of the character described comprising a movablepresser head and a buck, a fluid circulating system including a fluidcirculating pump and a cylinder provided with a 1 piston, means fortransmitting motion from said piston to said presser head, said systemincluding a fluid supply reservoir, means for supplying fluidprogressively to decrease the pressure in said cylinder as said presserhead approaches said buck.

4. In a pressing device of the character described comprising a movablepresser head and a buck, a fluid circulating system including afluidreservoir, a fluid circulating pump and a cylinder provided with apiston operatively' connected with said presser head for developingpressure between said head and buck, a conduit for supplying liquid fromsaid reservoir to said cylinder and returning it therefrom to saidreservoir, means connected in said conduit and manually operable toeffect an. operation of said piston to move said presser head towardsaid buck, means for progressively decreasing the liquid pressureexerted on said piston as it is actuated to move said presser headtoward said buck, means for thereafter eflecting an operation of saidpiston to urge said presser head toward said buck under a comparativelyhigh pressure, means forming a by-pass for liquid around said cylinderand an adjustable valve disposed in said by-pass for regulating theliquid pressure developed in said system. 7

5. In a pressing device of the character described comprising a movablepresser head and a buck, the combination with fluid-operated meanscomprising a cylinder provided with a piston, of

, manually operable means for eilecting a fluid- "actuated operation ofsaid piston, means for moved to a position closely spaced from said buckand held there under comparatively low pressure.

6. In a pressing device of the character described comprising a movablepresser head and a' buck, the combination with hydraulic meanscomprising a cylinder provided with a piston of manual-ly operable meansfor effecting an actuation of said piston, a first means fortransmitting motion from said piston to said presser head for a fractiononly of the full stroke of said piston, means for progressivelydecreasing the pressure exerted by said piston during said actuationthereof whereby said presser head may be moved to a position closelyspaced from said buck and held there under comparatively low pressure, asecond means for transmitting motion from said piston to said presserhead, said second means including means movable operatively to connectsaid piston with said presser head only when said head lies in closelyspaced relation to said buck and means for thereafter effecting anoperation of said piston under a comparatively high pressure.

7. In a pressing device of the character'described comprising a pair ofrelatively movable presser elements, a fluid circulating system,fluidoperated means in said system for moving one of said elementstoward the other under pressure, a valve in said system and an operatinghandle therefor and means for operatively connecting said handle to theelement moved by said fluidoperated means; said connecting means beingso constructed and arranged that said valve is automatically operatedprogressively to decrease the pressure under which said one element ismoved as it approaches the other element.

I HAROLD A. PERKINS.

